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August 1, 2011

Chalkboard Notebook

How cool is this chalkboard notebook? The cover of a regular composition book is painted with chalkboard paint that you can make in ANY color. Once dry, you can write messages with regular chalk, erase, and then write some more!

Now, wait till you see how easy it is!

Here's what I did to go from a plain notebook to a super cool chalkboard notebook:

I found the tile grout near the tiles at Home Depot, it was less than $2

2. Next, mix up your chalkboard paint. I originally saw the idea HERE (thanks, Martha!). Because I wasn't going to be covering a large area, I made a smaller batch. I used 1/4 cup acrylic paint and 1 1/2 teaspoons grout powder. ( I had a big bottle of acrylic paint, but the smaller 2 oz. bottles should equal 1/4 cup exactly)

Adding the grout powder

Mix it up. It'll be about the consistency of pancake batter.

3. Paint the cover of your notebook. I did three coats, allowing it to dry in between. I also switched the direction of my brush strokes on each layer, first going horizontally, then vertically, then horizontally again.

4. NOTE: If you will be doing a fairly light color of paint, you might want to give the cover a quick coat of spray paint first. I was pretty pleased with the coverage of three coats of the pink, but you could still faintly see the design underneath. You can either do 4 coats of the chalkboard paint, or "prime" it with a coat of spray paint.

The notebook on the right had a coat of white spray paint first.

5. Allow the chalkboard paint to dry completely, then prepare the surface by rubbing it with a piece of chalk held sideways. Cover the entire surface, then erase it ( I used an old sock!).

5. Now you're ready to use your new notebook! You can write new messages and then erase it over and over again.

I'm definitely going to be testing this out on other school supplies too. It worked well on the composition books because they have a thicker cardboard cover and the surface isn't too glossy. I did try it on a folder and it worked pretty well, although the paint did warp it a little.

Wow..what a great idea..and DIY chalkboard paint?? I know what I'll be making this week!

also, wanted to let you know I used the magic banana message in my daughter's lunch box today for her first day back to school :(...and she loved it so much she saved it and brought it home...she thought it was just too great to eat!

Thanks for sharing all of these great ideas..and for making me such a cool momma :)